Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is reportedly considering travelling to Moscow by car for the May 9 Victory Day commemorations after several EU countries denied his aircraft access to their airspace.
Fico Moscow trip faces airspace restrictions
Fico has said he does not intend to cancel his visit despite refusals from Poland and the Baltic states.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the first to deny overflight permission. Poland later followed, with Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stating that the matter was effectively closed after reviewing the request.
Alternative routes under discussion
According to a source cited by Polish broadcaster TVN24, alternative options are being explored, including the possibility of travelling by road.
“It is quite clear that none of the countries approached will allow the Slovak prime minister to fly to Moscow through their territory. A theoretical route via Hungary, Romania and the Black Sea would be very long… A trip by car is being seriously considered and remains quite possible,” the source said.
If realised, such a journey could involve a route of around 2,000 kilometres one way, potentially passing through Poland and Belarus, though no official confirmation of the itinerary has been provided.
Visit focused on commemorations
Fico is not expected to attend the military parade. Instead, he has indicated that he plans to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow to pay tribute to those who died during World War II.
The visit comes amid broader tensions within the European Union over relations with Russia and differing national approaches to commemorative events.
